Letter box



Jam 16, 1923., 1,4423@ 1. A. JOHNSON. LETTER BOX.

FILED 1uLY11.'1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

mhnA

vvuafrdfoz Jmhmmm Patented Jan. 16, 1923.

irenarmies;

ansia- PATE-r LETTER BOX.

Apincatioaiea Jury 11,

To all wim/w t may. concer/n Be it 'known' that I, yJOHN fLJHNsoN, a citizen of the United States, 'residing at Minneapolis, inthe county of Hennepin and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Letter Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This-invention relates to receptacles `.of the deposit and 'collection type, :and `the primary lobject of the inventionis to provide an 'improved letterfbox, inwhich the insertion ofv the mail into'the box, as wellas'the withdrawal of the `mail frornfthe' box` will be facilitated.

The 'great fault of the majority` of 'the mail boxes now on the market from the standpoint of vthe 4Inail carrier is. the difii culty experiencedin the placing of the mail inthe-box, which results 'inra great lloss of time. Generally `the arms and hands ofthe mail carrier are filled with packages of letters to be delivered, leaving', 'only a part ofione hand free for 'the insertion of vthemail in the box.` Now', if'the slot in the box is narrow andthe cover for the'slotisjin an inconvenient position andfof such form tha t the sa-meishard to operate. theinsertion lof the mail in the box is'rendered extremely diflicult. Often, .-to'o, :the fastening members 'utilized for securing the `box -to the vdoor or. other support projects in thel box,4 which formsfa stop forv the letters, thusrendering. the insertion :of `letters in the Vbox still .more difiicult. A

It -is therefore. another object of the invention to provide a mail box having its letter receiving. slot disposed in a convenient position, and to have a novel `cover for theA slotnor'mally urged overthefslot, which can be easily and conveniently operatedby the back of the same hand of the mail carrier, utilized for insertingv the mail through the slot, and to provide a 'novelfmeans for securing` -tliebox in position, without necessitating the positioningof 'the fastening `members through the rear wallof thebox.

A further object of the vinvention is to provide a mail box'hav-ing' a novel. form for permitting the convenient removal of the mail from the box, and va'novellyconstructed door for permitting theco'nvenient removal of the-.mailfrOm the-box. v

A still further object aof -thelirivention iis to prov-ide ane-improvedlmai-l bok' -of. 4the `above'V `characterr, which' will. befdurab'leand 'efficient' ceivinfg` slot .thereof 5 1921. Serial No. 483,880.

in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, -and one which can be placed upon the market at a reasonable cost.

lV ith these and other objects in view, tbc invention consists in `the novel construction. arrangement and `formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described. claimed and illustrated inthe accompanying drawings. forming a'ipart of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the `iniproved box. i

` Figure 2-is xa vertical longitudinal section th-rough the improved box, taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is 1a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure et yis a top plan view of the improved box, showing the cover for the letter receivingl slot in its normal position.

-Figure 5 is a similar view, showing the cover for. the mail receiving slot iu its open position.

Referringfo the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the letter A indicates the body of the box; B, the novel closure for the mail re- C, the novel removing door; and D, the supporting means for the box.

The body A is preferably constructed of sheetmetal, but can be made of any other desired material, and includes the side walls 10, the front wa-ll 11, the rear wall 12, and the upperand lower Iwalls 13 and 14;. lf so desired, the side walls 10 can be formed integral with the front wall 11. is shown the upper edge of the `front wall 11 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 15, which is adapted to be secured to the inner surface ofthe ltop wall 13. The rear wall. 12 has its upper, lower, and side-edges provided with outwardly extending flanges 16. which can be secured respectively -to 'the upper wall 13, to the lower wall .11,V and to the side walls 1U. These flanges strengthen and add rigidity t0 lthe box. The lower wall lei can be provided with upwardly extendingl side flanges 17, which can be secured to the side walls 10. The rear wall 12 preferablyf positioned inwardly of the rear l\' 1igitiulinal edges of theside walls 10, in order to deinethefastening flanges 1S, which forni the-means-for supporting the' retaining deviceD for the box, The lower wall 14: prefu erably extends at an angle to the horizontal, so as to 'facilitate the removal of letters and packages trom the box. The upper wall 13 is of arcuate configuration, and overlies the upper end of the side walls 10, and extends ing 19 is provided for the purpose of permitting the convenient removal of mail from the box. The upper wall 13 ofthe box is provided with a relatively wide longitudinally extending slot 20, which constitutesthe means for positioning the mail in the box.

The novel closure B for the body A is of a substantially U-shaped form, and includes the depending legs 22 and the connecting bight portion 23. The upper wall 13 of the box at each end of the mail receiving slot 20 is provided withtransversely extending slots 24 for the reception of the legs 22 of the cover B. The legs below the top wall 13 are provided with the upwardly inclined wings 25, which form guides for the legs 22 and underlie the slots 24, when the cover is moved to its rearward position, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings. The lower ends of the legs 22 can be provided with discs 26, which are adapted to receive pivot bolts 27, carried by the side walls 10 of the body A. These pivot bolts or pins 2T, can be connected in any preferred manner to the side walls 10, and to the legs 22 of the cover B. As shown the inner ends of these bolts are eountersunk in the legs 22 of the cover as at 23, so as not to interfere with the insertion of mail into the box. The longitudinal edges of the connecting or bight portion 23, of the cover B is provided with depending front and rear walls 29 and 30, which are secured by means of flanges 31 to the legs 22. The legs 22 are provided with guard strips 32, which are adapted to overlie the guide slots 24 formed in the upper wall 13 of the body A. These guard strips form means for preventing the entrance of rain or the like into the box. Tn order to limit the swinging movement of the cover B, an integral upstanding lip 33 is formed on the rear wall of the slot 20, and

the rear wall 39 of the cover B is normally held in engagement. with this lip and over the mail receiving slot, by .means of springs 36. These springs 36 are of the leal' type, but it is to be understood that any other preferred form of spring may be provided. The upper end ol' the springs 36 are providedy with hooks 37, which engage the rear edges of the legs 22. The intermediate portions of the springs are coiled around the pivot bolts 27, and are disposed intermediate the side walls 1() and the legs 22. The lower ends of the springs 36 are provided with feet 3S which are extended through, and engage the rear wall 12. arranging the spring 36 intermediate the side walls l0 and the legs 32, a housing is formed for the same, which prevents the accidental displacement thereof.

The door C for `the opening 19 include a fiat plate 40, the side edges of which may be provided withguard flanges 41, if so desired. The upper edge ofthe plate 40 is provided with suitable hinged barrels, which register with hinged barrels 42 fori'ned on the upper wall of the opening 19, and the aligned or registering hinged barrels receive the hinged pintle 43. This door C is preferably provided with a sight opening 44 which may be provided with a suitable transparency 45. A depending lip 46 is also formed on the loweredge of the plate 40, and forms a handle, whereby the same can be readily raised or lowered. This door is normally urged to a closed position, by means of a spring 47, which is coiled around the hinged pintle 43, and bears against the door (l and the inner surface of the front wall 11. In order to protect the spring and the hinged pintle and barrel from the elements, a suitable guard plate or eave 49 can be provided. As shown this eave or lplate 49 extends transversely across the front wall 1l, and overlies or extends outwardly of the doorC.

lVhile no lock has been disclosed for the door C, it is tobe understood that any suitable type of lock may be provided therefor if so desired.

The supporting means D for the body A consists of a transversely extending strip 50, having legs 51, which can be bolted or riveted as at 52 to the flanges 18 formed on the side walls 10 and the side flanges 16 formed on the rear wall 12. This strip 50 is adapted to slip over the hook 53, which can be secured to the door orother suitable support. The hook 53 can act as a permanent fixture, if so desired, and consists of the attaching base 54, which is heldin position by means of a suitable screw 55. Aforwardly extending portion 56 is formed on the attaching base. and terminates in an upwardly extending resilient tongue 5T, which is adapted to be forced into intimate engagement with the rear wall 12. This forms a Vcompletely from view.

lhen it is desired to place a letter in the box, it is merely necessary to place the hand against the upper end of the'cover B and force the 'same rearwardly, which will'exniagara Dose the slot 20 to view. The letter can then be readily placed in the slot. Upon removal ot the pressure trom the cover B, the same will swing to its normal position. and again overlie the slot 20 and protect the contents of the box trom the elements.

Then it is desired to remove the mail from the box, it is merely necessary to grasp the lip 46 and li't't the plate 4() against the tension of the spring 47. Owing to the inclination of the bottom Wall 14, the removal of the mail trom the box is facilitated.

From the foregoing description, it can be seen that a mail box has been provided of' exceptionally simple and durable construction, which will permit of the convenient insertion and removal of mail to and from the box.

It so desired, the tront Wall ll may be provided with a suitable name plate 50 as clearly shown in Figure l of the drawings.

Changes in details may be made Without departing from the spirit or scope ol this invention; but,

I claim:

l. In a mail box, a body including a top Wall having a mail receiving slot :termed therein, and a pair ot transversely extending slots arranged adjacent to the terminals of the mail receiving slot, a cover tor the slot including a pair of depending legs and a connecting bivht portion arranged to overlie the mail receiving slot, the legs being mounted tor swinging movement in the guide slots, means pivotally securing the legs to the body, and means engaging said cover ior normally urging the connecting portion over said mail receiving slot.

.2. In a mail box, a body including an upper Wall and side Walls7 the upper Wall having a longitudinally extending mail receiving slot formed therein, and a pair ot transversely extending guide slots arranged adj acent to the terminals ot the mail receiving slot, a closure for the mail receiving slot including a pair of depending legs mounted for swinging movement in the guide slots, and a connecting portion arranged to normally overlie the mail receiving slot. and arranged in spaced relation to the upper Wall., means pivotally securing the inner ends oit the legs to the side Walls et the box, and springs engaging said legs for normally urging the connecting portions over said slot.

In a mail box, a body including an upper Wall and side Walls, the upper wall having a longitudinally extending mail receiving slot termed therein and a pair ot' transversely extending guide slots arrai'iged adjacent to the terminals ot the mail receiving slot, a closure Vfor the mail receiving slot including a pair of depending legs mounted for swinging movement in the guide slots, a connecting portion arranged to normally overlie the mail receiving slot and arranged in spaced relation to the upper wall, means pivotally securingl the lower ends ol the leas to 'the side walls Aoi" the box, sprn ing said legs tor normally urging the necting portion over said slot. a limiting the swinging movement ot said connecting portion in relation to said slot.

4. In a mail box, a body including an arcuate top vall and side Walls, the top u'all having a longitudinally extending mail receiving slot formed therein and a pair ot guide slots arranged adjacent to the terminals of the mail receiving slot, a cover tor the mail receiving` slot comjn'ising a pair ot depending legs and a connecting portion. means pivotally securing the terminals ot' the legs to the side walls ot' the body, cepending flanges formed on the longitudinal edges of the connecting portion. and an upstanding flange formed on the rear Wall ot' the mail receiving slot disposed in the path of said depending flanges ot the connecting portion for limiting the swinging movement thereofl in relation to said mail receiving slot.

5. In a mail box, a body including an arcuate top Wall and side walls. the top Wall having a longitudinally extendingv mail receiving slot formed therein, and a pair of; guide slots arranged adjacent to the terminals of the mail receiving slots` a cover Afor the mail receiving slot comprising a pair o'lE depending legs and a connecting portion, means pivotalljv securing the terminals et the legs to the side Walls ot the body, depending langes termed on the longitudinal edges out the connecting portion, and an upstanding flange formed on the rear Wall ot the mail receiving slotl disposed in the path of said depending flanges ot the connecting portion for limiting the swinging movement thereof in relation to said mail receiving slot, an( spring means coiled around the pivots for the legs tor normally7 urging the connecting portion over said slot. V

6. A mail box coniprising 'liront and rear Walls, side Walls, top and bottom Walls, the top Wall having a longitudinally extending mail receiving slot tormed 'therein` transversely extending guide slots arra adjacent to the terminals oi the mail receving slot, a cover tor said mail receivin including a pair ot depending mei-.nted for swinging movement in the guide slotsv means pivotally securing- Vthe terminal.Sil ot the legs to the side Walls, Win( Atermed on the forward edges ot the leg. aelow the top cover arranged to be moved in the path ot the guide slotsI when the cover is swung on its pivots, a connecting portion Yl'or the legs l arranged to overlie the mail receiving slot, and guard strips carried by the legs arranged to normally overlie the guide slots.

7. A mail. box comprising trent and rear Walls, side Walls, top and bottom Walls., rearcond means lor wfufdly extendililg Hanges Turm-ed on the sdc wallie positoucd hoyuni'l the real: wall, lhs Upper wall ovelyng said flanges, a mail 1'@- ce ing :dot 'formed in the uppex' wall, 2L Cover 'for Said sot, n, mail removing' door formed in the 'front Wall, and Supporting means Carried by said reamvzu'dly extending flanges.

8. A mail. box comprising :L body includ- 10 ing side Walls, front and rear Walls, and top and bottom Walls, the rear Wdll being arvrzmg'ed inwardly of the rea 1 edges of the Side walls, a mail receiving slot fol'med in one of the walls, a. Cover for said Slot, a mail removing door formed in one of the walls a croSS supporting strip secured to the side Walls rearwardly of said rear Wall, and a supporting hook arranged to engage said strip.

JOHN A. JOHNSON. 

